December 16, 2024
News
It is less than 20 kilometres from the village of Belozerka in the Kherson region to the front line. “Just half an hour ago, a shell hit our village, leaving us once again without light and water," says Inna, a local resident. For Inna and her neighbours, such goods as light and gas have become a luxury, and frosty winters are outside. Massive attacks regularly destroy the infrastructure of frontline communities, and unemployment deprives people of the ability to stock up on fuel for the winter. “We are very grateful that you deliver us firewood even when it's shelling,” Inna says sincerely.
Warmth gives hope
Inna is 56 years old. She lives with her 58-year-old husband, Alexander, her son, and daughter-in-law. Inna teaches labour training at a local school, but remotely, because the school building is dilapidated. According to her, there is no housing in Belozerka that will not be damaged. Alexander and Inna's family's house suffered damage as well. The blast wave broke the windows, but the family managed to repair them.
As she heats the stove, she recalls last year's winter when there was no light for almost 1.5 months, and the terrible 9 months of occupation, after which Belozerka was almost twice as empty.
“Now only the pensioners and elderly people are here,“ Inna says. The Belozerka village council confirmed that out of more than 9 thousand inhabitants, less than five have remained, and due to the danger, the population continues to migrate. The majority fall under socially vulnerable categories such as low-income families, displaced persons, elderly and single people, and individuals with disabilities.
The constant threat of shelling and mining makes it impossible for farmers to cultivate land and grow food. Inna's husband worked as a driver, but now there is no work in the village. Funds are not sufficient to meet the most essential needs. So the family was happy to get assistance for the winter from Caritas Czech Republic and the New Dawn Charity Foundation which is supported by the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF).
“Thank you for such important help and for not letting us lose heart. The warmth gives me hope,” says Inna.
Providing barrier-free access and comfort
Over 1,600 people will be able to heat their homes with vital winter heating assistance provided to vulnerable communities in Kherson region, as part of our initiative.
Humanitarian convoys are often confronted with difficult obstacles and dangers during their journey to the affected communities. Despite the shelling, our partners still carry out their vital mission.
Firewood is delivered directly to the house by volunteers of the New Dawn Charity Foundation and loaders to meet the needs of people with disabilities. Each family receives 7.6 cubic meters of solid fuel ready for use, as well as contact information for feedback.
In addition to providing firewood for heating, we are also insulating old houses and reducing heat loss to help people in the frontline areas stay warm through the winter. With the support of the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund, Caritas Czech Republic is installing energy-efficient windows and doors in 200 homes and providing thermal insulation for roofs. Another 1,000 residents of the most vulnerable categories will receive sets of warm clothes, which we hope will help them survive the cold season and feel cared for and supported again.
Caritas Czech Republic in Ukraine
Caritas Czech Republic has been helping people in Ukraine since the beginning of the war. In addition to providing much needed humanitarian aid, we also provide shelter to internally displaced people in modular houses in western Ukraine. We are also improving living conditions in dormitories.
In western Ukraine, we support Ukrainians who have decided to stand on their own feet after evacuating from the war zone. Through minigrants, we support the restoration of livelihoods for people in Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and the Transcarpathian region. The aim is to help people affected by the war to rebuild their income sources, develop a career or start their own business.
In eastern Ukraine, we improve the accessibility and quality of rehabilitation and reproductive medicine by modernising hospitals and educating staff. In the South, we restorе water supply, insulate homes, and provide firewood for heating in frontline villages.
